Michigan’s School Physical Therapists
Physical therapy is provided by schools as a service when it is related to the student’s educational needs. The school-based physical therapist is part of the special education team that helps develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). They create treatment plans and implement appropriate therapy strategies to ensure students can physically access educational resources.
The physical therapist may offer services in various areas of school function related to a student’s ability to access the educational environment, including, but not limited to:
- School Mobility: This refers to the student’s ability to access different areas of the school, whether by walking, using a wheelchair, or other means of mobility.
- Classroom Activities: The therapist focuses on physical participation and maneuvering within the classroom environment.
- Access to Common Areas: This includes accessing and participating in spaces like the lunchroom, playground, bathroom, and transportation.
- Transitioning: The therapist assists with the transition from school to post-school activities.
Therapy aims to adapt and intervene, enabling the student to participate fully and access their special education and school environment. Services are tailored to meet each student’s individual educational needs and may include one-on-one treatments, staff training, program development, collaboration with staff, integrated therapy with peers, or consultation for the student’s daily program.
Associations to Support You
Start Your Michigan School Physical Therapist Journey
To join this amazing group of Special Educators you need:
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science.
Step 2: Earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Step 3: Apply for a license with The Michigan Board of Physical Therapy.
Step 4: Pass the two exams before becoming licensed. The National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and the Michigan Physical Therapist Jurisprudence Exam.
Volunteer to Gain More Experience!
Get hands-on experience and find a classroom near you that is in need of a volunteer!
Job Shadow a Physical Therapist
To participate in a job shadow, reach out to a school district and request to job shadow a Physical Therapist for a day.
Each school district has their own policy when it comes to job shadowing, but you may need a state ID or a driver’s license to participate.
College Program Information
Click a point on the map to find degree programs, scholarships, grants, and organizations to join!
Michigan School Physical Therapist Educational Funding
Free College Opportunities
Allows students to earn college credit (up to 10 courses) while in high school at no cost between 9th-12th grade. The classes that students are eligible for must not be offered by the high school or PSA and must lead towards postsecondary credit, accreditation, certification, and/or licensing.
How to apply – Students are to talk with their high school advisor on eligibility, application, deadlines, and college course options.
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is designed to help students pursue their dreams, goals, and aspirations in the Mitten State! Graduating high school seniors are eligible to earn a skill certificate or degree at their local community college tuition-free just by filling out the new and simplified FAFSA.
A Michigan Department of Education approved five-year program of study.
EMCs work closely with certain colleges to provide students with an opportunity earn a high school diploma and one or more of the following:
- 60 transferable college credits.
- An associate degree.
- A professional certification.
- The Michigan Early Middle College Association (MEMCA) technical certificate.
- Participation in a registered apprenticeship.
State Scholarships & Grants
Michigan Reconnect is a scholarship program that pays you to attend your in-district community college tuition free or pays up to the in-district rate if you attend a community college where you’re considered out-of-district. Applicants must be 25 years old to apply.
Thirteen Promise Zones have already begun awarding scholarships. Educators, businesses, families and civic leaders are also striving to embed a pervasive culture of learning in these communities – an essential ingredient in any recipe for education success.
Amount: $2,000 – $5,500
This award is intended to reward and empower students who are instrumental in advancing DEI in Michigan. An award will be given annually to a second-year Michigan physical therapy DPT or PTA student. Recipients of this scholarship will be recognized and given a check for $2500 at the APTA Michigan Fall Conference Awards Ceremony.
This scholarship is intended to reward and encourage PT students who exemplify the four core values of Orthopedic Rehab Specialists (ORS): respect, environment, accountability, and service.
This scholarship is intended to reward and encourage PT and PTA students who are already showing promise as practical clinicians.
As part of its role in supporting and encouraging research in the State of Michigan, the APTA Michigan Institute for Education and Research has a small research grant program that is intended to provide out-of-pocket expenses/seed money for either basic or clinical research related to physical therapy and to encourage the development of new projects.
As part of its role in supporting and encouraging research in the State of Michigan, the APTA Michigan Institute for Education and Research has a small research grant program that is intended to provide out-of-pocket expenses/seed money for either basic or clinical research related to physical therapy and to encourage the development of new projects.
This scholarship is intended to reward and encourage PT students who exemplify the four core values of Orthopedic Rehab Specialists (ORS): respect, environment, accountability, and service.
This scholarship is intended to reward and encourage PT and PTA students who are already showing promise as practical clinicians.
- Be enrolled in an accredited occupational therapy program in the state of Michigan.
- Be a MiOTA member.
- Have a minimum 3.0 GPA average.
- Be in involved in a student professional organization, participate in activities of your educational institution, or demonstrate community involvement.
- The MiOTA annual student scholarship ($1,000) is awarded to two students on an annual basis, one OT student and one OTA student.
To support research in physical therapy clinical education in conjunction with the APTA Michigan Institute for Education and Research as charged in the APTA MI CEC Standing Rules.
Federal Scholarships & Grants
Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.You must apply for aid every year.
The Federal Student Aid Estimator provides an estimate of how much federal student aid the student may be eligible to receive. These estimates are based on the Student Aid Index (SAI), an index to determine federal student aid eligibility.
Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to help eligible students cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school.
A federal grant for undergraduate students with financial need.
Amount: up to $17,500
Direct PLUS loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education makes Direct PLUS Loans to eligible graduate or professional students through schools participating in the Direct Loan Program.
Grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, administered directly by financial aid office at each participating school, not all schools participate
part-time employment while enrolled in school, available to undergrad, grad, and professional students with financial need, available to full and part-time students, administered by participating schools, emphasizes employment in civic education and work related to course of study or civic education, on or off campus
Amount: up to $4,000/year
